formicidae (insecta: hymenoptera) of saudi arabia (part 2)

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Formicidae (Insecta: Hymenoptera) of SaudiArabia (Part 2)

ARTICLE · NOVEMBER 1995

CITATIONS

54READS

40

2 AUTHORS, INCLUDING:

Donat Agosti

Plazi

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2/87

300

CA. COLLINGWOOD & D. AGOSTI

Formicidae Insecta:

Hymenoptera)

o Saudi

Arabia

Part

2

Cedric

A.

Collingwood

and Donat

Agosti

A b s t r

act :

The

known

species

of

ants from the entire Arabian Peninsula are listed.

The

present total

of 265

includes three

genera

new

to the Arabian fauna,

Leptanilla Yavnella

and

Solenopsis 30

records

of

species

new

to

the

Arabian fauna

and

additionally, 56 species new to science:

Cryptopone arabica Messor hismai M. muraywahus M. muscatus M sanganus Leptothorax

saudiae Cardiocondyla gallagheri

C.

yemeni Tetramorium latinode

T.

yemene Monomorium acutinode M.

aeyade

M. asiriense M

baushare M. brunneolucidulum M. buettikeri M. dammame M. dirie M. foyfoense M. fizzanense M. gallagheri M. hanaqe M.

harithe M. hemame M. jizane M. knappi M. mahyoubi M. majarishe M. marmule M. matame M. mintiribe M. montanum

M. najrane M. qarahe M. rimae M. riyadhe M. subdenticorne M. suleyile M tumaire M. wahibiense M. yemene Solenopsis

omana

S.

sumara

S.

zingibara Anoplolepis longitarsis Lepisiota dammama

L.

dhofara

L.

harteni L. riyadha Cataglyphis

acutinodis C. jlavobrunneus C. harteni C. holgerseni C. opacior C. shuaibensis Campo notus gallagheri. Monomorium karawajewi

is

synonymised

with

M. mayri. Cataglyphis auratus

C.

vaucheri Crematogaster melanogaster Messor crawlei Pheidole katonae

and

Technomyrmex bruneipes

are given a

new

status.

~ ~ ~ ~ r J I ~ 0'"

~ ~ I

u ~ G ~ ) u l ~ I ~ ) j . JI

W\9

J W I ~ I

~ no y \J, Jlr.\I1 )..wl

1 ~ r l l o;:?1 Y

l

j . .JI i dJ.r- -1 U ;\I

1

Jl J

~

: d...p)6.:.

~

0 ~ . -lJ£ .Leptanilla , Yavnella , Solenopsis.:

r/ )

~ r l \ ~ p l l ~ W ~ o..l;...l>. J b l a;)\;

:;

r;;

1

M mayri J j ) l . r - 0 ~ I Monomorium karawajewi

~ 1..l....;..L>. l J .

0 \ )

l J . ·

~ ~

INTRODU TION

Many collections made in Saudi Arabia by Prof. W Biittiker

during

his zoological surveys in

1975-1989 have been made available through Dr. M. Brancucci of the Natural History Museum,

Basel. Much material has also been sent from

Oman

mainly collected by Mr.

M.D.

Gallagher of

the Oman Natural

History

Museum, Muscat,

and

supplemented

by collections made by

R.

Braund, W Biittiker, J.E. Clarke, J. Darl ington,

R.

Mathias

and

R.P.

Whitcombe. Additional

material includes an interesting collection made by W Biittiker in Kuwait (1988-1989), specimens


3/87

FAUNA

OF

SAUDI ARABIA

15, 1996

3 1

from separate ecological studies in the United Arab Emirates by Prof. H. Heatwole of the Zoology

Department,

North

Carolina State University, U.S.A.

and

Dr. Barbara Tigar of the National Avian

Research Centre, Abu Dhabi, and finally important collections from Yemen made by A. van

Harten of the Yemeni-German Plant Protection Project assisted by M. Knapp, M. Mahyoub and

others. These have been examined, and species

known

to occur in the Arabian Peninsula

now

total

265

of

which 56 are described

as

new. Descriptions, name changes

and

new records are presented

but those in COLLINGWOOD (1985) are not repeated.

M TERI LS ND METHODS

Measurements and indices

All measurements are expressed in millimetres and these and all indices are as follows:

CI

EL

HL

HW

PL

PW

PPW

SI

SL

Cephalic index;

HW

X

100 divided by

HL

Eye

length; the maximum diameter of the eye

Head

length; the length from the mid point of the front clypeal border to the

mid point of the occipital border

Head width; the maximum width of the head in dorsal view excluding the eyes

Petiole length

Petiole width

Postpetiole width

Scape index; SL

X

100 divided by HW

Scape length; the straight line length of the antennal scape

not

including the

condylar bulb

TL Total length; the total outstretched length of the individual

The various body parts are as delineated in COLLINGWOOD (1985: Fig. 1).

All type material is housed in the Natural History Museum, Basel NHMB) and duplicates

placed in appropriate institutes

and

museums of the contributing countries.

Collecting Areas

Collections in Saudi Arabia cover the same areas as described in COLLINGWOOD (1985). The two

main areas in Oman are

Dhofar

in the west with a lush wooded coastal plain, cultivated areas and

inland desert

RATCLIFFE-SMITH

1980)

and

the north-eastern

part

radiating from Muscat including

coastal sands, the mountains of Jabal Shams rising to over 2000 m, areas of agricultural cultivation

including date palms

and

finally sandy deserts

and

adjacent scrub lands. Collections in the

United

Arab Emirates by Prof.

H.

Heatwole were

in

the deserts of Djebel Haffete

and

in similar terrain

around Ras Ghanada by Dr.

B.

Tigar, using baits and pitfall traps respectively. In Yemen most

collections by A. van Harten and colleagues were made

on

high land around Sana a

but

also in

semi-cultivated valleys and coastal plains using a variety of methods including light and Malaise

traps. Additional material was collected by Dr. H. Wranik of Rostock University in the vicinity of

Aden in 1985 and 1988 and included

much

the same fauna

as

described by both

EMERY

(1893)

and

FOREL (1892) from Taiz

and

Aden 100 years ago.


4/87

302

CA COLLINGWOOD D. AGOSTI

ist

o all

recorded rabian species

Genera and species

Saudi Kuwait

U.A.E.

Oman

Yemen

Range outside Arabia

Arabia

Subfamily Dorylinae

Dorylus affinis Shuckard, 1840

+

North Africa, Middle East

D folvus

(Westwood, 1839)

+

+ +

North

Africa, Middle East

Subfamily Leptanillinae

Leptanilla islamica

Baroni Urbani, 1977

+

Leptanilla sp.

+

Yavnella

sp.

+

Subfamily Ponerinae

Anochetus sedilloti Emery, 1884

+

North Africa, India

A traegaordhi

Mayr, 1904

+

Africa

Belonopelta loebliBaroni

Urbani, 1975

+

Middle East

Cryptopone

arabica

n sp.

+

C ochracea (Mayr, 1855)

+

Mediterranean

Hypoponera abeillei (Andre, 1883)

+

South Europe, North Africa

H eduardi

(Fore , 1894)

+

Mediterranean

H punctatissima

(Roger, 1859)

+

+ +

Cosmopolitan

H ragusai (Emery, 1894)

+

Middle East, North Africa

Leptogenys maxillosa (Smith, 1858)

+

+

T ropicopolitan

Pachycondyla ambigua

Andre, 1890

+

Africa

P sennaarensis (Mayr, 1862) + +

+

+ +

Africa

Platythyrea modesta Emery, 1899

+

+ +

Africa

Subfamily Cerapachyinae

Cerapachys

longitarsus

(Mayr, 1878)

+

North

Africa, India

C

wittmeri

Collingwood, 1985

+

Cerapachys

sp.

+

Subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae

Tetraponera bifoveolata

(Mayr, 1895)

+

+

Middle East

T erythraea (Emery, 1895)

+

Africa

Subfamily Myrmicinae

Aphaenogaster muschtaidica

Emery, 1908

+

South Russia

Cardiocondyla emeryi

Fore , 1881

+

+

Tropicopolitan

C gallagheri

n. sp.

+

+

C

nuda

(Mayr, 1866)

+

North Africa, Orient

C shuckardi

Fore , 1891

+ +

+

Africa

C

wroughtonii

Forel, 1890 +

+

Pantropical

C

yemeni

n. sp.

+

Crematogaster

acaciae

Forel, 1892

+

NEAfrica

C aegyptiaca Mayr, 1862

+

+

+

North Africa

C

affobilis

Forel, 1907

+

+ +

NEAfrica

C antaris Forel, 1894 +

+

+ +

North Africa

C

auberti Emery, 1869

+

South Europe

C

chiarinii

Emery, 1881

+

+

NEAfrica

C

delagoensis

Fore , 1894

+

NEAfrica

C jlaviventris Santschi, 1910

+

Africa

C laestrygon Emery, 1869

+

+

North Africa

C

luctans

Fore , 1907

+

Africa

C melanogaster Emery, 1895 n. stat.

+

South Africa

C mimosae Santschi, 1914

+

+ +

East Africa

C mosis

Emery, 1869

+

+

Middle East

C

oasium

Santschi, 1911

+

North

Africa

C senegalensis Roger, 1863

+

+

Africa

Crematogaster sp. A

+


5/87

FAUNA

OF

SAUDI ARABIA

15

1996

303

Genera and species

Saudi

Kuwait

U.A.E.

Oman

Yemen


Arabia

Crematogaster

sp. B

Crematogaster

sp. C

Crematogaster sp. D

Leptothorax angulatus

Mayr, 1862

Middle East, Africa

L humerosus

Emery, 1846

NEAfrica

L saudiae

n sp.

Leptothorax sp. A

Leptothorax sp. B

Leptothorax

sp. C

Melissotarsus emeryi

Fore ' 1907

Africa

Messor aralocaspius (Ruzsky, 1902)

Central Asia, SE Europe

M. arenarius

(Fabricius, 1787)

Middle East,

North

Africa

M

buettikeriCollingwood 1985

M.

eresis

Santschi, 1934

Middle East

M. crawleyi Santschi, 1928 n. stat.

Middle East

M. decipiens

Santschi, 1917

Africa

M. ebeninus

Santschi, 1927

Middle East, SE Europe

M

flreli

Santschi, 1923

North

Africa

M galla (Mayr, 1904)

Africa

M

hismai n sp.

M. intermedius

Santschi, 1927

Middle East

M. medioruber Santschi, 1910

North

Africa

M meridionalis (Andre, 1883)

Middle East, Central Asia

M

minor

(Andre, 1883)

South Europe

M. muraywahus

n. sp.

M. muscatus

n sp.

M. orientalis Emery, 1898

Middle East, Central Asia

M. picturatus

Santschi, 1927

North

Africa

M. rufotestaceus

(Foerster, 1850)

Middle East

M. sanganus

n sp.

M

semiru/us

(Andre, 1883) Middle East

M

striaticeps

(Andre, 1883)

North

Africa

M. subgracilinodis

Arnoldi, 1969

Central Asia

M. syriacus T ohme, 1969

Middle East

M. wasmanni Krausse, 1910

South Europe, Middle East

Messorsp.

Monomorium abeillei

Andre, 1881

Middle East

M. acutinode

n sp.

M. aeyade n. sp.

M. areniphilum

Santschi, 1911

Africa

M. asiriense n

sp.

M. barbatulum Mayr, 1877

Central Asia

M. baushare n. sp.

M. bicolor

Emery, 1877 Africa

M. brunneolucidulum

n. sp.

M. buettikeri

n sp.

M. buxtoni Crawley, 1920

Middle East

M. carbo

Fore , 1910

North

Africa

M. carbonarium

(Smith, 1858)

NE tlantic

M. chobauti Emery, 1896

Middle East

M. clavicorne

Andre, 1883

Middle East

M. dammame n

sp.

M. dentigerum

(Roger, 1862)

Middle East

M. desertorum n. sp.

M. destructor a

rdon, 1851)

Pantropical


6/87

304

c A COLLINGWOOD D. GOSTI

Genera and species

Saudi

Kuwait U.A.E.

Oman Yemen


Arabia

M dirie n. sp.

+

M foyfoense n. sp.

+

+

M Jezzanense n. sp.

+

+

+

Middle East

M

gallagheri

n

sp.

+

M hanaqe n. sp

+ +

M harithe n. sp.

+

M hemame n

sp.

+

M jizane n. sp.

+

+

M

knappi

n

sp.

+

M luteum Emery, 1881

+ +

M mahyoubi n sp.

+

M majarishe n. sp.

+

M marmule n. sp.

+

M matame n. sp.

+

M mayri

Forel, 1902

+

+ +

Cosmopolitan

M mintiribe n. sp.

+

+

M montanum n. sp.

+

+

M najrane n. sp.

+

M niloticum

Emery, 1881

+

+ +

Middle East

M nitidiventre Emery, 1893

+ +

+

South Europe

M pharaonis (Linnaeus, 1758)

+

Cosmopolitan

M phoenicium Santschi, 1927

+

+

South Europe, Middle East

M qarahe n. sp.

+

M rimae n. sp.

+

M riyadhe n. sp.

+

M robustior Forel, 1892

+

Africa

M salomonis

(Linnaeus, 1758)

+ +

North Africa

M subdenticorne

n

sp.

+

M

subopacum (Smith, 1858)

+

+ +

South Eutope, Africa

M suleyile

n

sp.

+

M tumaire

n. sp.

+

+

M venustum (Smith, 1858) + +

+

Middle East

M wahibiense n. sp.

+

+ +

M yemene n sp.

+

Oxyopomyrmex sabulonis

Santschi, 1915

+

North Africa

Pheidole jordanica Sauicy, 1874

+

Middle East

P katonae Fore , 1907

n

stat.

+

Africa

P lamellinoda Forel, 1802

Socotra, India

P megacephala

(Fabricius, 1793)

+ + +

+ +

Cosmopolitan

P

minuscula Bernard, 1953

+

NW Africa

P

rugaticeps Emery, 1877

+ +

NEAfrica

P sculpturata Mayr, 1866

+ +

Africa

P sinaitica

Mayr, 1862

+

+

Middle East, North Africa

P

teneriffona

Fore , 1893

+ + + +

Cosmopolitan

Pheidole sp.

+

Solenopsis omana n sp.

+

S sumara n. sp.

+

S zingibara n. sp.

+

Tetramorium biskrense Fore , 1904

+

North

Africa

T

caldarium (Roger, 1857) +

Cosmopolitan

T calidum Forel, 1907

+

T delagoense Fore , 1894

+

Middle East, Africa

T depressiceps

Menozzi, 1933

+

Middle East

T

doriae

Emery, 1881

+ +

NEAfrica

T jizani

Collingwood, 1985

+

+


7/87

FAUNA

O

SAUDI ARABIA

15, 1996 305

Genera and species

Saudi

Kuwait U.A.E.

Oman

Yemen


Arabia

T

juba

Collingwood, 1985

T khyarum

Bolton, 1980

Africa

T

lanuginosum

Mayr, 1870

Cosmopolitan

T

latinode

n. sp.

T sericeiventre

Emery, 1877

Africa

T simillimum

(Smith, 1851)

Cosmopolitan

T

syriacum

Emery, 1909

Middle East

T

turcomanicum

Santschi, 1921

Central Asia

T

yemene

n sp

T

zahrae

Santschi, 1923

Subfamily Dolichoderinae

Tapinoma melanocephalum

(Fabricius, 1793)

Cosmopolitan

T

simrothi

Krausse, 1911

North

Africa, Middle East

Tapinoma

sp.

Technomyrmex albipes

(Smith, 1862)

Cosmopolitan

T

bruneipes

Forel, 1895

n

stat.

India

T setosus

Collingwood, 1985

Technomyrmex

sp. A

Technomyrmex

sp. B

Subfamily Formicinae

Anoplolepis longitarsis n

sp.

A

tumidula

Emery, 1915

NW Africa

Camponotus acvapimensis

Mayr, 1862

Socotra, Africa

C

adenensis

Emery, 1893

C

aegyptiacus

Emery, 1915

NEAfrica

C

alii

Fore , 1890

North

Africa

C

arabicusCollingwood 1985

C

atlantis

Fore , 1890

North Africa

C

baldacci

Emery, 1894

SE Europe

C

carbo

Emery, 1877

Africa

C

empedocles

Emery, 1920 Africa

C

foyfoensis

Collingwood, 1985

C fellah

Dalla Torre, 1893

North Africa

C

jlavomarginatus

Mayr, 1862

East Africa

C

flraminosus

Forel, 1879

Africa

C

gallagheri

n sp

C

hova

Fore , 1891

Socotra

C

ilgii

Fore , 1894

NEAfrica

C jizani Collingwood, 1985

C

kersteni

Gerstaecker, 1871

East Africa

C

maculatus

(Fabricius, 1781)

Africa

C

oasium

Fore , 1890

Africa

C

sericeus

(Fabricius, 1798)

India, Africa

C

somalinus

Andre, 1887 NEAfrica

C

thales

Fore , 1910

North Africa

C

thoracicus

(Fabricius, 1804)

North

Africa

C

xerxes

Fore , 1904

Central Asia, Middle East

Cataglyphis abyssinicus

(Forel, 1904)

North Africa

C acutinodis n

sp.

C

adenensis

(Forel, 1904)

C

albicans

(Roger, 1859)

North Africa

C

arenarius

Finzi, 1940

North Africa

C

asiriensisCollingwood 1985

C

auratus

Menozzi, 1932 n. stat.

North

Africa

C

cinnamomeus

Karawaiew, 1910

Central Asia, North Africa


8/87

306

c.A.

COLLINGWOOD

D. GOSTI

Genera and species

Saudi

Kuwait U.A.E.

Oman

Yemen


Arabia

C

diehli (Forel, 1902)

+

+

+

North

Africa

C

em mae (Fore , 1909)

+

North

Africa

C flavobrunneus n.

sp.

+

+

+

C

harteni

n.

sp.

+

C

holgerseni n. sp.

+

+

C isis

Forel, 1913

+

Middle East

C

laevior

Santschi, 1929

+

North Africa

C

lividus (Andre, 1881)

+

+ +

+ +

Middle East

C

minimus Collingwood, 1985

+

+

C

niger (Andre, 1881)

+

+

+ +

Middle East

C

opacior

n.

sp.

+

C

ruber

(Forel, 1903)

+

North Mrica

C

sabulosus

Kugler, 1981

+

+

+ +

Middle East

C savignyi

(Dufour, 1862)

+ +

North

Africa

C

semitonsus

Santschi, 1929

+

Middle East

C

shuaibensis

n. sp.

+

C

urens

Collingwood, 1985

+

+

+ +

C vaucheri

(Emery, 1906) n. stat.

+

North

Africa

C viaticus (Fabricius, 1787) +

+

North

Mrica

Cataglyphis sp.

+

+ +

+ +

Lepisiota arabica (Collingwood, 1985)

+

L arenaria

(Arnold, 1920)

+

South Africa

L bipartita F. Smith, 1861)

+

Middle East

L canescens (Emery, 1897) +

+ +

NE frica

L

carbonaria (Emery, 1892)

+

+ +

NEMrica

L

dam

mama

n. sp.

+

L

depilis

(Emery, 1897)

+

NE frica

L

dhofora

n. sp.

+

L

dolabellae (Forel, 1911)

+

Middle East

L

erythraea (Fore , 1910)

+

+

NE frica

L.frauenftldi (Mayr, 1855) +

South Europe

L

gracilicornis

(Fore , 1892) +

+ +

L

harteni n. sp.

+

L

incisa (Fore , 1913)

+

+

Africa

L karawajewi (Agosti Collingwood, 1987) +

SE Europe

L

nigra

(Dalla Torre, 1893)

+

+

SE Europe

L nigrescens (Karawaiew, 1912)

+

+

North Africa

L

obtusa (Emery, 1901)

+

+ +

NE frica

L opaciventris (Finzi, 1936)

+

+ +

Middle East

L

riyadha

n. sp.

+

L

sericea (Forel, 1892)

+

India

L simplex

(Fore , 1892)

+

Africa, India

L spinisquama (Kuznetsov-Ugamsky, 1929)

+

Socotra, Central Asia

L

validiuscula

(Emery, 1897)

+

Africa

Lepisiota

sp.

+

Paratrechina flavipes

(Smith, 1874)

+

Asia

P jaegerskioeldi (Mayr, 1904)

+

+ +

Cosmopolitan

P

longicornis (Latreille, 1802)

+

+ +

Cosmopolitan

Plagiolepis

abyssinica Fore , 1894

+

NE frica

P

exigua Fore , 1894

+

Africa

P

mauraSantschi 1920

+

North Mrica

P pygmaea (Latreille, 1798) +

South Europe

P schmitzii Fore , 1895

+

North Africa

Polyrhachis

lacteipennis

F.

Smith, 1838

+

+ +

India, Middle East

P viscosaF Smith, 1858

+ +

Mrica


9/87

1

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7

FAUNA OF SAUDI ARABIA 15, 1996

SYSTEMATIC ACCOUNT

Key to subfamilies

of the

family Formicidae worker caste)

Eyes absent .

Eyes present .

Minute ants;

TL

generally less than 2.0 and HW less than 0.25.

Antennae

with 12

segments Leptanillinae

Larger ants

of

variable size, TL from 3.0 to 9.0. Antennae with 10 or 11 segments

Dorylinae

Peduncle with a single node

or

scale .

Peduncle with two distinct segments, the petiole and postpetiole .

Gaster with a projecting sting. First and second gastral tergite with a distinct con-

striction between them .

Gaster

without

a projecting sting. First and second gastral tergite

not

separated

by

a

distinct constriction .

Pygidium

last visible gastral tergite)

rounded without short

projecting teeth

or

spines. Antennal insertions concealed by frontal laminae in dorsal view Ponerinae

Pygidium flattened,

armed

with very

short

spines

or

peg-like teeth.

Antennal

in-

sertions not concealed by frontal laminae Cerapachyinae

Apex of gaster with a circular orifice; petiole a distinct node or scale Formicinae

Apex of gaster terminating in a transverse slit; petiole flat

and

reduced, overhung by

the first gaster segment in Arabian species Dolichoderinae

Clypeus projects back between the frontal ridges. Ocelli absent in worker caste

Myrmicinae

Clypeus

does

not

project back between

the frontal

ridges

but

bends vertically

downward in front

of

the head. Ocelli present

and

clearly visible in all castes

Pseudomyrmecinae

Subfamily Dorylinae

Genus

Dorylus

Fabricius, 1793

Key

to

species

1 Funiculus segments distinctly transverse. Male petiole clearly wider than long

Dorylus affinis

Funiculus segments

3 6

quadrate. Male petiole almost as long as wide

Dorylus fulvus

Dorylus affinis

Shuckard, 1840

Dorylus affinis

Shuckard, 1840. - Ann. Nat. Hist. 5: 316.

Mat e

ria

I: Yemen: 00 i

i

from: Al-Mahwit, 29.1V 1991; Wadi Rima near Madinat, 12.111.1993; all A van Harten.

Dorylus fulvus

Westwood, 1839)

TyphloponefolvusWestwood

1839. - Introd. Classif. Insects

2:

219.

307

2

3

7

5

6


10/87

308

CA.

COLLINGWOOD

D. AGOSTI

Dorylus folvus. Emery 1895; Zool. Jb. Abt. Sysr.

8:

707.

Mat

e

ria

I: Yemen: d Sana

a,

IX.1991, A. van Harten; ' ' , Madinat al-Shariq, 7.III.1993, CA. Collingwood.

These dorylines are subterranean species

not

often appearing above ground. The large males

fly towards light in late afternoon and early evening and are seen more often than the workers.

Subfamily Leptanillinae

Genus Leptanilla Emery,

1870

Leptanilla islamica Baroni Urbani,

1977

Leptanilla is/arnica

Baroni Urbani, 1977. Entomologica Basiliensis 2: 474.

Leptanilla sp. (Fig. 1

Mat

e

ria

I: Yemen: from: Sana

a,

X11.1991; Al-Kowd, 11.1993; all A. van Harten.

Leptanilla species are very small narrow-bodied ants. Unassociated males fly to light. These are

characterised by their small, flat, narrow heads. This is probably a new species

but

seems to be

quite close to

L

israelis Kugler, 1987. According

to the

illustration

of

L

islamica the petiole

is

longer and the head broader than that

of

the species figured here.

Genus Yavnella Kugler, 1987

Yavnella sp. (Fig. 2)

Mat e

rial:

Yemen: d Sana a, V11.1991, A. van Harten.

This genus was first recognised

and

established by

KUGLER I987) who

described the two

known species from India and Palestine respectively.

The

Yemen examples, taken in a light trap,

have

the

general

body

shape

as

described by

KUGLER I987) with an

expanded prothorax

and

cut

away propodeum, wide short head,

bulbous

eyes, reduced

wing

veins

and

very

long

funiculus

segments 3-12,

short

scapes and long legs. They appear to be different in detail from the nearest

congener Y argami Kugler, 1987. Queens and workers are unknown in this genus

but

males are

quite distinct from

other

Leptanillinae.

1

2

3

4

Subfamily Ponerinae

Key

to Arabian

genera

Mandibles inserted in

the

middle

of the

front margin

of

the head; occiput is widely

emarginate Anochetus

Mandibles inserted at the sides of the front margin of the head; occiput is rounded

or

flat,

not

emarginate .

Mandibles falcate; tarsal claws pectinate Leptogenys

Mandibles denticulate; tarsal claws simple .

Middle tibiae each

with

two spurs .

Middle

tibiae each

with

a single

spur

.

Middle tibia

with

two pectinate spurs Platythyrea

2

3

4

6


11/87

1

® 0

a

~

FAUNA

OF

SAUDI ARABIA 15 1996

2

a

Figs 1-2:

1

Leptanilla

sp.,

d

a head in dorsal view; b, profile; 2, avnella sp., d a head in dorsal view; b profile.

5

6

Tibiae each with one pectinate

and

one simple spur .

Eyes minute or absent

Cryptopone

Eyes distinct and moderately large

Pachycondyla

Middle tibial spur simple; mandibles long with five large teeth; clypeus

produced

anteriorly into a cone Belonopelta

Middle tibial spur pectinate; mandibles broadly triangular; anterior margin

of

clypeus

not produced into a sharp cone

Hypoponera

Genus

nochetus

Mayr, 1861

Key t species

1

Eye

about

0 16

times HL. Mesonotum smooth unstriated; petiole in profile tapering

to dorsal crest nochetus traegaordhi

Eye about 0.22 times HL Mesonotum laterally striate; petiole in profile with evenly

convex dorsal crest

nochetus sedilloti

nochetus sedilloti

Emery, 1884

nochetus sedilloti

Emery, 1884. - Ann. Mus.

civ.

Stor. nat. Giacomo Doria 21: 377.

nochetus traegaordhi

Mayr, 1904

nochetus traegaordhi Mayr, 1904. - in Jagerskjold: Res. Swed. Zoo . Exp. Egypt White Nile 1901, 9 (Formicidae): 2.

309

5


12/87

310 CA. COLLINGWOOD D. AGOST1

Genus

Pachycondyla

Smith, 1858

Key

t

species

1 Robust ants with a deep mesopropodeal furrow and relatively large eyes; mandibles

with a dorsolateral

pit

Pachycondyla sennaarensis

Smaller ants with flat mesopropodeal furrow and small eyes; mandibles without a

dorsolateral pit

Pachycondyla ambigua

Pachycondyla

ambiguaAndre

189

Pachycondyla ambigua Andre, 1890. - Ann. Soc. ent. Belg. 45: 47.

Pachycondyla sennaarensis

(Mayr, 1862)

Ponera

sennaarensis

Mayr, 1862. - Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien 12: 72.

Pachycondyla sennaarensis - Andre, 1890; Revue Ent. 9: 316.

Material: Oman:

00

i i ,

i i

from many collections including Qarn Huwayda, Batcham, Ain Umran, Jabal Qarn, Wadi

Rawbat, Wadi Khabb,

Sal

ai-Alan, AI-Sadi, Khawr Sawli, Wadi Ma ayadin, Madinat Qaboos, Hayl al-Awamir, Dagmar, Wadi

Dharbat, 1982-1986;

all

M.D. Gallagher; i i , Wadi Nahiz, Jabal Samhan, 1X.1983,

J.

Darlington; i i , Salahan, X.1984, ].E.

Clarke. - United Arab Emirates: 1 i ,

Ras

al-Kainah, 29.111.1991, C Gross. -

Yemen:

i i from: Mahwit , Sana a, Taiz,

Hamamdamt, Wadi Surdud, Seyen Wadi, 1991-1992; all

A.

van Harten.

This species thrives around human settlements. t is a predaceous scavenger and has a powerful

sting.

WHITCOMBE

I982) gives a good account of this aggressive species with respect to its damage

to honey bees at Khabura, Batina in Oman.

Genus

Platythyrea

Roger, 1863

Platythyrea modesta

Emery, 1899

Platythyrea

modesta Emery, 1899. - Ann.

Soc.

ent. Belg. 43: 457.

Materia l: Oman: 1 i , Wahiba 1X.1989, Ebejer. - Yemen: 1 i , Fona, Aden Chalet, 3.x.1988, H. Wranik; 00

i

i

from: AI-Mahwit, 29.IY.1991; Suq Bani Mansur, 27. Iy 1991;

all

A. van Harten.

This extends the known range in Arabia of this diurnal species.

Genus Cryptopone Emery, 1893

1 Mandibles

with

five

dentides

Mandibles with twelve dentides

Cryptopone arabica

n. sp.

Key t species

Cryptopone ochracea

Cryptopone arabica n.

sp.

Holotype: i , Yemen, Wadi Bani, 20.III.1993, CA. Collingwood. - Paratypes:

i

i , same series as holotype.

Measurements of holotype: TL 3.2; HL 1.12; HW 1.02; SL 0.86; EL 0.11 (eyes with

12 ommatidia).

Des

c

rip

t

ion:

Head: long, almost straight-sided with the broadest

part

at the occiput which

is incavate; eyes placed anteriorly well below the midline and visible in dorsal view; frontal furrow

continued as a fine line to the occipital border; mandibles with a distinct dorsolateral pit, long and


13/87

FAUNA OF SAUDI ARABIA 15, 1996 311

curved, with 12 denticles

and

a large apical tooth; length from apex to clypeal border 0.42

measured along outer moderately curved edge 0.60. Frontal laminae expanded laterally, concealing

antennal insertions. Scapes broadening to apex, just reaching the occipital margin when laid back.

Alitrunk: metanotal suture well developed forming a clear break dorsally between mesonotum

and propodeum;

promesonotal suture also visible

but not

breaking dorsal

outline

of alitrunk.

Petiole squamiform with a strongly developed ventral tooth. All tibiae

with

one large pectinate spur

and one smaller simple spur about half the length of the other. Tarsal claws simple. Whole body

including head and gaster covered in pale decumbent pubescence

not

obscuring the underlying

dilute body sculpture so that the general appearance

is

shining. Four to five short suberect hairs are

visible on each side

of

the head in dorsal view with two longer hairs at the lateral clypeal corners.

A Hi nit i e s: This species differs from the South European C. ochracea by the longer multi

dentate mandibles and overall larger body size.

Cryptopone ochracea

(Mayr, 1855)

1

2

3

Ponera

ochracea Mayr, 1855, - Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien 5: 118.

Cryptopone ochracea - Emery 1916; Boll. Soc. em. Ital. 47: 206.

Genus Hypoponera Santschi, 1938

Key

t

species

Frontal furrow continued

as

a thin line to the occipital border

Hypoponera punctatissima

Frontal furrow clearly

not

reaching the occipital border .

Antennal scape reaches the occipital border

when

laid back; body colour dark

Hypoponera eduardi

Antennal scape does not reach the occipital border. Body colour light yellowish

brown .

Dorsal surface

of

alitrunk with metanotal suture only faintly indicated

Hypoponera abeillei

Dorsal surface of alitrunk in terrupted by shallow but distinct metanotal suture

Hypoponera ragusai

Hypoponera abeillei

(Andre, 1881)

Ponera

abeillei Andre, 1881. - Bull. Soc. em. Fr. 48: 61.

Hypoponera abeillei. - Taylor 1967; Pac. Ins. Monogr. 13: 12.

Hypoponera eduardi

(Forel, 1894)

Ponera

eduardi Fore , 1894. - Bull. Soc. Vaud. Sci. nat. 30: 15.

Hypoponera eduardi. - Taylor 1967; Pac. Ins. Monogr. 13: 12.

Hypoponera punctatissima

(Roger, 1859)

Ponera

punctatissima Roger, 1859. - Bed. ent. Z. 3: 246.

Hypoponerapunctatissima - Taylor 1967; Pacific Insects Monograph: 12.

2

3

Mate rial: Oman: f

f,

Thumrait,

VI.1984 ].W

Barnes. - Yemen: f f from: Sana'a VII.1991; Zabid, 26.VIII,1991;

all

A. van Harten.

Winged

queens of this very widely distributed

tramp

species were taken in light traps.


14/87

312

CA.

COLLINGWOOD D.

AGOSTI

Hypoponera ragusai

(Emery, 1894)

Ponera ragusai Emery, 1894. - Naturalista Sicil. Gior. Sci. nat. 14: 28.

Hypoponera

ragusai - Baroni Urbani 1971; Mem. Soc. ent. Ital. 50: 18.

Subfamily Cerapachyinae

Genus Cerapachys Smith, 1857

Key t species

1 Apical funiculus segment swollen to form a single-segmented large club; eyes distinct

but very small Cerapachys

wittm ri

Apical three segments together forming a club; eyes very large

Cerapachys longitarsus (Mayr, 1878)

Lioponera longitarsus

Mayr, 1878. - Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien 28:669.

Cerapachys

longitarsus

- Brown 1975; Search Agric. 5. Entomol. (Ithaca) 15: 23.

Cerapachys

wittm ri

Collingwood, 1985

Cerapachys

wittmeri

Collingwood, 1985. - Fauna

of

Saudi Arabia

7:

237.

Cerapachys sp.

1

Mat

e

r ia

I : Yemen: 2 d Sana a VII.1991, taken at light,

A.

van Harten.

The two males are not at present identifiable

to

species.

Subfamily Pseudomyrmecinae

Genus TetraponeraSmith 1852

Key t species

Alitrunk in lateral view almost flat, numerous erect hairs

Alit runk in lateral view ondulate; few erect hairs on body

Tetraponera bifoveolata Mayr, 1895

Sima bifoveolata

Mayr, 1895. - Ann. naturh. Hofmus. Wien 10: 146.

Tetraponera

bifoveolata.

- Wheeler 1922; Bull. Am. Mus. nat. Hist. 45: 796.

Cerapachys longitarsus

Tetraponera bifoveolata

Tetraponera erythrea

Mate r ia l :

Saudi Arabia:

dd

1 1

from: Wadi Tumair, 20.11.1976;

Dammam

2.1X.1976; Amjara, 19.II.1980; Wadi

Sanakhab, 25.1X.1980; Khoda, 30.1X.1982; all w Biittiker. - Yemen: 1 I, Al-Mahwit, 11.1I1.1992, A. van Harten; 'I

I,

Bilad

Bani, 23.1I1.1993, CA. Collingwood.

This species, although taken over a wide area ofArabia, has not yet been recorded from Oman.

The

old record

of

T erythraea (Emery, 1895) from Aden is still the only one for this species from

the peninsula.


15/87

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

FAUNA

OF

SAUDI ARABIA 15 1996

Subfamily Myrmicinae

Key t genera

Apical two segments of antennae forming a club. Antennae with six or ten segments

Apical

three

segments

of

antennae

forming

a

club

or antennae with

four

or

five

segments forming a

somewhat

indistinct club. Antennae with or 12 segments

Alitrunk box-like

without

dorsal sutures. Antennae

with

six segments

Melissotarsus

Alitrunk with a distinct mesopropodeal furrow. Antennae with ten segments

Solenopsis

Postpetiole attached mediodorsally ro first gastral segment; gaster cordiform from

above

Crematogaster

Postpetiole attached medioventrally to first gastral segment; gaster pyriform

from

above .

Antennae with four or five antennal segments slightly enlarged to form a somewhat

indistinct club .

Antennae with three enlarged apical segments forming a distinct club .

Eyes large pointed anteroventrally; antennae

with

segments

Oxyopomyrmex sabulonis

Eyes more or less rounded not pointed anteroventrally; antennae with 12 segments.

Mandibles broadly rounded.

Most

species polymorphic

with

head

width

increasing

allometrically with increased body size

Messor

Mandibles triangular; monomorphic; head always longer than broad

phaenogaster muschtaidica

Propodeum

without

spines

or

teeth; clypeus longitudinally bicarinate

onomorium

Propodeum bituberculate dentate or bispinose; clypeus with median portion flat or

rounded not bicarinate .

Clypeus raised into a ridge in front of the antennal insertions

Tetramorium

Clypeus

not

raised to a ridge in front of antennal insertions .

Dimorphic species;

major

workers have greatly enlarged heads with broad mandibles

of three teeth. Minor workers have narrow heads with large multidentate mandibles

Pheidole

Monomorphic species; all workers in a colony of more or less even size and shape

313

2

3

4

5

6

7

9

with

mandibles of five teeth . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

10 Postpetiole enlarged cordiform from above in most species wider

than

long; alitrunk

without

dorsal hairs

Cardiocondyla

Postpetiole not conspicuously enlarged

not

or scarcely wider than long; erect hairs

always present on

dorsum

of alitrunk Leptothorax

Genus Messor

Forel

1890

The

number

of distinguishable Messor species

in

Arabia has increased from 15 to 25.

This

genus

includes a large number of insufficiently characterised infraspecific names and

in

some cases wrong


16/87

314

c.A.

COLLINGWOOD D. AGOSTI

attribution.

Most species are

polymorphic

and all descriptions apply to the larger workers.

Characters that

are

considered

to be of

most

value include relative eye size, dorsal pilosity,

especially that

of

the first gastral tergite, and the presence or absence

of

long J-shaped hairs on the

ventral head surface referred to here

as

a psammophore, for convenience, although strictly this

term should apply only

to

those species where these hairs are crowded. The shapes of the petiole

and

postpetiole are also important. Sculpture

is

rather variable even

within

the same nest series.

essor species are seed gatherers and a useful account

of

foraging activity

of

one

of

the species

in Yemen is given by SHEHALA 1981).

Key

to

species large workers)

1 Underside of head

with

moderately curved

and

straight

hairs.

. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Underside of head with at least some long J -shaped hairs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3

2 Strongly sculptured, robust, brown or brownish-black ants; propodeum angulate

to

broadly dentate Messor orientalis

Smooth

shining, slender bicoloured ants

with

reddish-yellow

head

and

alitrunk

contrasting with dark gaster; propodeum with distinct small teeth

Messor rufotestaceus

3

First funiculus segment

not

longer

than

second; all tibial spurs pect inate

Messor arenarius

First funiculus segment larger and distinctly longer than second; mid and hind tibial

spurs simple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

4 First gaster tergite conspicuously hairy

with

long pale hairs. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

First gaster tergite with short hairs, few or none . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

5 Head red

or

dark red contrasting with dark alitrunk and gaster; maximum HWover

3 0 Messor decipiens

Head dark

as

gaster; maximum HW 2.5 or less 6

6 Eyes large, 0.25 times HW Propodeal outline smoothly rounded

Messor buettikeri

Eyes smaller, 0.21 times

HW or

less. Propodeal

outline more or

less angulate

or

dentate. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

7 Propodeum with projecting

blunt

teeth Messor muraywahus n. sp.

Propodeum simply angulate,

not

dentate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8

8

Dorsum

of

head finely striated; ali trunk dark

Messor aralocaspius

Head smooth unsculptured; alitrunk often slightly reddish Messor subgracilinodis

9 Unicolorous dark brown to black ants. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10

Bicoloured ants

with

head

and/or

ali

trunk

reddish contrasting

with

dark

gaster.

. . . 15

10 Propodeum armed

with

spines

or

teeth. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Propodeum angulate

or

rounded. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13

Head completely striated; alitrunk sculptured Messor striaticeps

Head and alitrunk

smooth

with superficial sculpture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12

12 Eyes large, 0.3 times HW Propodeum with short broad-based teeth Messor foreli

Eyes smaller, less than 0.20 times

HW

Propodeum with distinct spines

Messor hismai n. sp.

13

Eyes

large, 0.3 times HW Scapes long surpassing occiput, Slover 100. Propodeum

smoothly rounded Messor muscatus n. sp.


17/87


315

Eyes smaller, 0.25 times HW or less. 5capes shorter, 51 80 or less. Propodeum

angulate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14

14 Postpetiole long and low without

an

anteroventral projection. Occiput

with

7-8

projecting hairs a t each side

of

the midline Messor crawleyi

Postpetiole a rounded node with an anteroventral projection. Occiput with 3-5

projecting hairs at each side

of

the midline Messor ebeninus

15 Head of larger workers red or reddish, distinctly lighter than the gaster 16

Head dark, unicolorous with the gaster; ali

trunk

paler, reddish at least in part . . . . . 21

16 Maximum HW 2.0 or less . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17

Maximum

HW

2.5 or more. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19

17

Head

wholly or in part smooth

and

shining; propodeal outline rounded

Messor

minor

Head completely sculptured;

propodeum

angled 18

18 Head coarsely striate, sub rectangular; head, alitrunk

and

nodes entirely reddish

Messor ceresis

Head finely striated with occiput smoothly rounding into the broadly rounded sides;

alitrunk and nodes in part brownish Messor picturatus

19

Dark

species with head only slightly reddish; postpetiole in dorsal view slightly longer

than

wide, without a distinct anteroventral projection Messor sanganus n. sp.

Head and alitrunk red; postpetiole not longer than wide with a distinct anteroventral

projection. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20

20 First gaster tergite

smooth

and shining without any dorsal hairs

Messor galla

First gaster tergite with superficial sculpture

and

always with a few to several suberect

hairs Messor semirufus

21 Propodeal outline smoothly rounded; ventral J -shaped hairs profuse forming a

distinct psammophore; eyes large,

0.25 times

HW Messor syriacus

Propodeal profile more

or

less angulate; ventral J-shaped hairs fewer,

not

forming a

distinct psammophore; eyes smaller, 0.15-0.22 times HW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

22 Gaster with many suberect hairs; occiput with 5-8 projecting hairs at each side of the

midline Messor medioruber

Gaster with occasional sub erect hairs or none; occiput with 3 or 4 hairs at most

projecting at each side of the midline . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23

23 Eyes

large, always more than 0.20 times

HW Messor meridionalis

Eyes smaller, 0.14-0.19 times HW . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 24

24 Pro no

tum

somewhat flattened with lateral bosses clearly visible in oblique view;

alitrunk at least in part reddish

and

well contrasted with dark gaster; head somewhat

shining

Messor w sm nni

Pronotum simply rounded; ali trunk only slightly paler than gaster; head dull with

fine sculpture

Messor intermedius

Messor aralocaspius (Ruzsky, 1902)

phaenogaster barbara var.

aralocaspia Ruzsky 1902. - Izvest. Turk. Otd. Imp. Russk. Geog. Obshch. 3: 20.

Messor aralocaspius - Pisarski 1967; Ann. zoo . Warsz. 24 (6): 384.

Mat

e

ria

I: Saudi Arabia:

if if

Jeddah- Taif, 1200 m,

l.V

1979, Exp. N. Hedjaz

W

Biittiker); {


18/87

316

CA. COLLINGWOOD D. AGOSTI

The head is strongly striate and the whole of the alitrunk dorsum is transversely striate. All

dorsal surfaces are covered

with

long pale hairs.

The

psammophore

is

moderately developed, never

thick.

The propodeum is

angulate

in

profile

but

never

dentate or

spined.

This is

generally a

highland species in Arabia and constructs relatively large crater nests.

Messor arenarius

(Fabricius, 1787)

Formica arenaria Fabricius, 1787. - Mant. Insect. I: 30.

Messor arenarius - Fore 1894; Bul . Soc. Vaud. Sci. nat. 30: 45.

Mat e ria I: Saudi Arabia: from: Wadi Durmah, 30.XII.1975; Dammam, 14.y'1976; Riyadh, 29.III.1976; all W

Bilttiker. - Kuwait: , Al-Jawf, 2.xI.1986 W Bilttiker.

Measuremen ts: HW 3.4-4.5; ELlHW 0.165.

This

is by far the largest Messor species in the Middle East.

The

subcephalic hairs are numerous

but

do not

form a distinct

psammophore.

All

body

surfaces are covered with erect hairs.

The

propodeum is armed with short strong spines.

The

general body colour is brownish black but the

ali

trunk

is occasionally somewhat reddish and such examples appear little different from M regalis

(Emery, 1892) of sub-Saharan Africa, sharing the same features: short first funiculus segment,

pectinate tibial spurs, thick

body

pilosity, spined

propodeum

and

rugose body sculpture extending

to

the first gastral tergite.

Messor buettikeri Collingwood, 1985

Messor buettiker i Collingwood, 1985. - Fauna of Saudi Arabia 7: 249.

Mat e ria I: Kuwait: 6 Aqabat al-Khuraytah, 15.IY.1984, W Bilttiker.

Measuremen ts: HW 1.64; ELlHW 0.24-0.26.

The

sample of workers of this smooth-sculptured, black, large-eyed species have the features

as

described in COLLINGWOOD (1985). A further character

is

the postpetiole which has the ventral

surface flat without an anterior projection.

Messor ceresis Santschi, 1934

Messor ceresis Santschi, 1934. - Bull. Ann. Soc. ent. Belg. 74: 274.

Mater ia l : Saudi Arabia: from: Diriyah, 28.III.1975; Wadi Tumair, 13.II.1976; Wadi Hanifa, 18.II.1976;

all

W

Bilttiker.

Measurements :

HW 1.3-1.5; ELlHWO.20-0.223.

This is a small apparently

monomorphic

red species resembling some forms of M m nor

(Andre, 1882), differing in the coarser sculpture

of

the head and ali trunk slightly larger eyes,

stronger development

of

the psammophore, distinctly angulate propodeum and less variable size.

There are 0-2 projecting hairs at each side

on

the occiput, two pairs each on the pronotum petiole

and postpetiole

with

a few hairs at the distal margin of the first gastral tergite. Head, alitrunk and

nodes are entirely reddish.

The

species was described from Lebanon

and

is

evidently rather local.

Messor crawleyi Santschi, 1928; n. stat.

Messor rugosus

st.

crawleyi

Santschi, 1928. -

Rev.

Zoo . Bot. Afr. 16: 203.

Mat e ria I: Saudi Arabia: 1 Wadi Tumair, 20.II.1976, W Bilttiker.

Measurements :

HW 1.52; SL 1.24, EL0.38; ELlHWO.249.

This is a large-eyed, small brown sculptured species.

The

propodeum is sharply angulate with

the flat dorsal surface meeting the down slope at a near right angle.

The

petiole

is

somewhat thick

with a rounded dorsal crest. The postpetiole is low without a ventral projection. The head has the

frons striate with the striae extending across to the eyes. The

pronotum

and the propodeum are


19/87

FAUNA OF

SAUDI

ARABIA 15, 1996 317

strongly transversely striate; the mesonotum has strong longitudinal striae curving in towards the

well-marked promesonotal suture.

Both

nodes have dose reticulopunctate sculpture while the

gaster

is

smooth and glossy.

The

psammophore

is

well developed.

The

occiput has 7-8 hairs at each

side

of the

midline and

the

alitrunk dorsum has many scattered hairs with two pairs on

the

propodeum, two pairs on the petiole and three on the postpetiole. At least 12 standing hairs are

visible on the first gastral tergite in profile. This species differs from M rugosus (Andre, 1881) of

the Middle East in the distinctly angulate

propodeum

sparser pilosity, more striated alitrunk and

smoother gaster.

Messor decipiens Santschi, 1917

Messor capensis

st.

decipiens

Santschi, 1917. - Bul . Soc. Hist. nat. Afr. 8: 94.

Messor decipiens. -

Bolton 1982; Bul . Br. Mus. nat. Hist. 45 (4): 348.

Mat

e

r ia

I: Saudi Arabia: ,

Thanomah

10.IV.1980, W Bilttiker.

Measuremen

ts: HW 2.S4-2.76; ELlHW 0.20-0.21.

This species, well characterised by BOLTON (1982), has similar body pilosity to M aralocaspius

but

is

much

larger.

The

previous record, Anamas

COLLINGWOOD

1985),

is

in the same general area

of

the Asir highlands as

Thanomah.

Messor ebeninus Santschi, 1927

Messor semirufus

var.

ebeninus

Santschi, 1927. - Bo . R. Soc. esp. Hist. nat. 27: 229.

Messor ebeninus. -

Tohme 1971; Bul . Soc. ent. Egypte 54: 569.

Mat e ria I: Saudi Arabia: from: Diriyah, 18.III.1975; Uyaynah, rv.1976; Mizbil, XII.1977; Wadi Awsat,

XII. 1976; Wadi Khumra, 18.IV.1976; Wadi Hanifa, 28.xI.l977; Jebel Banban,

5.II.l979;

Wadi Daykah, rv.1980; Wadi Karrar,

I.1979; Harram, 24.xI.1981; all W Bilttiker. - Kuwait: Aqabat al-Khuraytah, 7.IV.1980,

W.

Bilttiker. - United Arab

Emirates: , Djebel Haffete, X.1989,

H.

Heatwole; , Ras Ghanada, 1X.1992,

B.

Tigar. - Oman: , Khasab Musandham,

15.IV.1986,

R.

Braund. - Yemen: from: Wadi Surdah,

2l.IX.1991;

Sanaa,

5.I.l992;

all

A.

van Harten; Taiz -

AI

Turbah,

14.III.l993

CA. Collingwood.

Measuremen

ts: HW 2.0-2.S; ELlHW 0.19-0.23.

This

evenly black species has a rather variable pilosity

with

I-S

hairs at each side

on

the

occiput, 1-2 pairs

on

the propodeum one pair each

on

the petiole and postpetiole and there are a

few occasional hairs

on

the first gastral tergite.

Messor foreli Santschi, 1923 (Fig. 3)

Messor aegyptiacus

var. flreli Santschi, 1923. - Rev. Suisse Zoo . 30: 322.

Messor flreli . -

Bernard 1981; Syst. Assoc. Spec. 19: 143.

Mat e

r ia

I: Saudi Arabia: from: Dammam, 18.VIII.l976;

Hofuf

Road, E of Riyadh, 21.III.l975; all W Bilttiker. -

United

Arab Emirates: Ras Ghanada, 1X.1992,

B.

Tigar. -

Oman:

Wadi Andam, 1I.1986,

W.

Bilttiker;

misidentified

as

M

planiceps

Stitz, 1917 in

COLLINGWOOD

(1988), Ras al-Jibsh,

6.III.l987 M.D.

Gallagher.

Measurements: HW 1.3S-1.39; SI 94; ELlHW0.30.

This

is

a small species characterised by its large eyes, dentate

propodeum

and hairless pro

podeum, nodes and first gastral tergite.

The

colour

is

evenly reddish brown to brownish black

and

the sculpture is dilute

with

the whole

body

shining. The postpetiole is rather low and slightly

truncate. t is a true desert species common in the northern Sahara.

Messor galla (Mayr, 1904)

tenamma Messor) barbarum var. galla Mayr, 1904. - in Jagerskjold: Res. Swed. Zoo . Exp. Egypt White Nile I (6): 5.

Messor galla.

-

Santschi 1928; Rev. Zoo . Bot. Afr. 16: 201.

Mat

e

r ia

I: Oman: , Jabal Qarms Musandham, 1X.1982,

R.

Braund; from: Khadrafi Dhofar, 27.IX.1983; Marmul

Dhofar, 25.IX.1984; Ayum Pools, 27.IX.1983; Wadi Sayq, 24.IX.1983; all J. Darlington. - Yemen: Madinat al-Shariq,

7.III.1993, CA. Collingwood.


20/87

318

c.A.

COLLINGWOOD D.

AGOSTI

Measuremen ts:

HW 2.84; ELlHW 0.17-0.19.

This subtropical species

is

evidently common in the cultivated valleys

of

the Dhofar. t appears

to

be uncommon in Yemen

and

in Saudi Arabia was not found further

north

than the sheltered

valleys at Fayfa near the Yemen border.

Messor hismai n. sp. (Fig. 4)

Holo t y p

e:


21/87


3

4

Figs 3-5: Head and alitrunk in profile: 3, Messor flreli 4,

M

hismai n. sp., 5, M. meridionalis

Messor minor (Andre, 1883)

Aphaenogaster barbara

var.

minor Andre, 1883. - Spec. Hym. Europe

2:

253.

Messor minor. - Kutter 1927; Folia Myrm. Term. 1: 99.

Mat e

ria

I: Saudi Arabia: Wadi Shuqub,

7 IV

1983, C.A. Collingwood.

Meas

uremen ts:

HW 1.8-2.4; ELlHW 0.18-0.22.

319

This red-headed species occurs in South Italy and Tunisia and seems to be indistinguishable

from M. maurus Barquin, 1981 from Tenerife and Lanzarote. It is known in Arabia only from a

restricted area

of

the Asir highlands.

Messor muraywahus n. sp. (Fig. 6

Holo t y p

e:

Saudi Arabia, AI-Muraywah, 28°45 N 44°00 E, 28.x. 1986 , W Biittiker. - Par a t y pes: 2 same

series

as

holotype.

Measurements

ofholotype: TL 6.5; HL2 1;

HW2 2;

SL 1.91;

ELlHWO 232

Des c rip t

ion:

This species is similar to M. aralocaspius but the body hairs are shorter and

differently distributed.

The

occiput has four and

five

projecting hairs at each side of the midline.

Short hairs project

on

the genae below the

eyes. The pronotum

has several long dorsal hairs, the

petiole one pair and the postpetiole two pairs. Several short hairs are present over the first gastral


22/87

320

CA. COLLINGWOOD D.

AGOSTI

dorsum.

This

species has relatively larger eyes

than M. aralocaspius

a steeper more sharply angled

petiole

and

the

propodeum

is armed with slightly projecting blunt teeth. The subcephalic hairs are

sparse, not forming a distinct psammophore.

The

head

is

moderately shining with a few scattered

punctures, the alitrunk dorsum

is

transversely striate

and

the gaster has fine superficial sculpture.

Messor muscatus

n. sp. (Fig. 7)

Holotype:

9 Oman, Ras ai-Hamra, Muscat, 19.VI.1985, C Holzschuh. - Paratypes: Oman: 1 9 same series as

holotype. - Saudi Arabia: 1 9 Wadi Shijah, 4.V:1976, W. Bilttiker. - Yemen: 2 99 Madinat al-Shariq, 7.III.1993,

CA.

Collingwood.

Measuremen

ts

ofholotype:

TL

5.2;

HW

1.11;

ELlHW

0.31; S1 103.

Des c rip t ion:

This

small brown species has large eyes

and

a

long

scape which surpasses the

occiput when laid back.

The propodeum

is

rounded

as in M

syriacus The

psammophore is distinct

but

less developed compared

with

M. syriacus

and

the whole

body

is evenly brownish not

bicoloured

as

in M syriacus The postpetiole

is long

and low

as in

M crawleyi and M hismai but

this species is distinctly different from both

of

these in the shape

of

the propodeum.

There

are long

body hairs over the promesonotum

and

a few shorter hairs on the first gastral tergite.

Messor picturatus Santschi, 1927

Messor instabilis picturatus Santschi, 1927. -

Rev.

Suisse Zoo . 30.

Messor picturatus. - Collingwood 1985; Fauna of Saudi Arabia

7:

251.

Mat

e

ria

I Saudi Arabia: 9 9 from: Wadi Salbukh, 8.IX.1977; Wadi Hanifa, 3. and 8.II.1976; all W Bilttiker. - Kuwait:

99 Anwha Island, 29.II.1988 , W Bilttiker.

Measuremen ts : HW 1.92-2.12; ELlHW 0.21-0.23.

This species has the red head and ali trunk of the M minor species group but differs in the

more rounded head, grainy head and stronger ali trunk sculpture. This

is

particularly evident in the

larger examples. Small workers are hard to tell

apart

except for the larger eyes. The petiole

in

M

picturatus is also thicker compared with similar sized examples of M minor

and

the anteroventral

prominence on the

postpetiole

is

more

developed.

M. minor

examples from Corsica

and what

appears to be the same species from Tenerife have a few erect hairs on the first gastral tergite. These

are restricted to two

or

three on the posterior margin of the first tergite in

M picturatus.

Messor ruJotestaceus (Foerster, 1850)

yrmica

rufotestacea Foerster, 1850. - Verh. naturh. Ver. preuss. Rhein . 74: 89.

Messor rufotestaceus. - Emery 1908; Dr. ent. Z. (1908): 437.

Mat e ria I: Saudi Arabia:

99

from: Riyadh, 20.II.1975; Wadi

Harth

28.IX.1978; Wadi Tabuk, 24.IV: 1979; all W

Bilttiker. -

United

Arab Emirates: 99 Ras Ghanada, IX.1992, B. Tigar. - Om an:

99

Kuria Muria, 24.IV1984 J.

Darlington; 1

9

Baushar, W of Muscat, X.1985,

M.D.

Gallagher.

Measurements : HW 1.7; ELlHWO.21.

This

interesting species stands

apart

from

other

Middle Eastern

Messor

species because the

antennal segments are exceptionally

thin

and

the

nodes are comparatively low.

It

is

a non-trail

forming species living in small communities. It

is

known from Syria, Palestine and the northern

Sahara.

Messor sanganus n. sp.

Holo t y p

e: 9

Yemen, Sangani Pass 13.III.1993, 2200 m,

CA.

Collingwood. - Par a t y pes: 19 9

9

same series

as

holotype.

Measuremen ts ofholotype: TL 7.5;

HL

2.28; HW 2.28; ELlHW 0.19.

Des c

rip

t

ion:

Head shining, dark red, contrasting with dark alitrunk and gaster. Whole of

alitrunk dorsum finely transversely striate. Petiole dorsum sculptured; postpetiole and gaster


23/87

FAUNA

OF

SAUDI ARABIA

15, 1996

321

6

8

Figs 6-8: Head and alitrunk in profile: 6,

Messor muraywahus

n, sp 7, M

muscatus

n. sp., Ii 8, M.

wasmanni

smooth and shining with some superficial sculpture. The propodeal profile is steeply rounded but

not angulate; the petiole

is

a rounded triangle

and

the postpetiole

is

simple, without a distinct

anteroventral projection

as

seen in profile and very slightly longer

than

broad in dorsal view.

The

alitrunk has several hairs, the petiole and postpetiole each have two pairs and the first gaster tergite

has seven visible in full profile. This species differs from

M semirufus

in the much darker body

colour, slightly larger eyes

and

the

longer lower postpetiole.

The

ants were taken from a large

populous nest in a sun-exposed sheltered part

of

the high pass.

Messor striaticeps Andre, 1883)

Aphaenogaster barbara var. striaticeps

Andre, 1883. - Spec. Hym. Europe 2: 356.

Messor striaticeps.

- Cagniant 1969; Bull. Soc. Hist. nat. 105: 405.

Mat

e

ria

I:

Saudi Arabia: , Tabuk,

13.xI.I988

W Btittiker. - Kuwait: ,

Al-

Jawf,

2.xI.I986

W Btittiker.

Measuremen ts: HW 2.46;

ELlHW

0.205-0.21.

This species is totally black with a strongly striated head

and

well-developed propodeal spines.

The

psammophore is weakly developed.


24/87

322

CA. COLLINGWOOD D.

AGOSTI

Messor subgracilinodis

Arnoldi, 1969

Messor subgracilinodis

Arnoldi, 1969. - Zoo . Zhurn. 49: 73.

Mat e ria I: Yemen: 9 9 Al-Mahwit, above 2000 m, 21.x.1991,

A

van Harten.

Measuremen ts: HW 2.48; ELlHW 0.17.

This

species has body pilosity much

as

M. aralocaspius but less dense and it also differs by the

much

smoother head sculpture, smaller eyes

and

the frequent slightly reddish tinge

to

the alitrunk.

Messor syriacus Tohme, 1969

Messor syriacusTohme 1969. - Pub . Univ. Liban Sci. nat.

7: 9

Mat e ria I: Saudi Arabia: 99 from: Wadi Durmah, 16.1.1976; Al-Khubra, 22.y'1977;

all

W Btittiker.

Measuremen

ts: HW 1.7-2.3; ELlHW 0.24-0.28.

This species has large eyes and a well-developed psammophore.

The

propodeum is rounded in

profile,

not

angulate.

Messor wasmanni

Krausse, 1910 (Fig. 8)

Messor barbarus

w sm nni Krausse, 1910. - Zoo . Anz. 35: 524.

Messor wasmanni.

- Casevitz-Weulersse 1990; Bull. Mus. natn. Hist. nat. 12: 154.

Mat e ria I: Oman: 99 Dharbat Falls, 13.II.l986 M.D. Gallagher.

Measuremen

ts:

HW 2.5-2.9;

ELlHW

0.16-0.19.

This species differs from

M semirufus

and related species by the shape

of

the

pronotum

which

is mildly flattened dorsally and expanded laterally into a protuberant boss at each side. This is a

constant and characteristic feature

and

most easily seen in slanted profile. It is a very

common

grain-harvesting ant

found on

all of the Greek islands,

on

the southern Balkan mainland, in

South

Italy and the

Mediterranean

islands of Corsica, Sardinia

and

Sicily but not in Malta or the

Balearics. It has also been taken locally in Tunisia but its occurrence so far south as

Oman

is a

surprise. However, TOHME (1968)

and TOHME

TOHME (1981) recorded it

as

M

on olor

Emery,

1908 from Lebanon

and

Syria respectively. Specimens labelled M concolor cotype in

both

the

Oxford

Hope Museum and

the

NHMB

are confirmed

as

M. wasmanni M

on olor

being a

junior

synonym.

Messorsp.

Materia l: Saudi Arabia: 1 9 Harithi, 19.IY.1985,

W.

Btittiker.

A single worker resembling

M muraywahus

n. sp. in general shape, differs in the near absence

of

long

subcephalic

hairs. Since this

may

be

due to abrasion and

in

the

absence

of further

specimens, no formal description is given.

1

2

3

Genus Pheidole Westwood, 1839

Key

t

species (large workers)

HW less than 1.0; head clearly longer than wide Pheidole minuscula

HW more than 1.35; head sides curved, head

not or

scarcely longer than broad

Petiole with a ventral projection, in profile a translucent lobe

Pheidole lamellinoda

Petiole without a ventral project ion .

Postpetiole wider than long, distinctly dentate at widest point .

Postpetiole scarcely or not wider

than

long, rounded or at most slightly angled at

sides .

2

3

4

7


25/87

5

6

7

8

FAUNA

OF

SAUDI ARABIA 15, 1996

Promesonotal outline evenly curved

without

a distinct dorsal prominence; funiculus

segments 2 3

and

4 quadrate

Pheidole megacephala

Promesonotal outline broken by

distinct

dorsal ridge or

prominence;

funiculus

segments 2, 3 and 4 longer

than

wide .

Head completely striate to occiput; postpetiole about twice as wide as long

Pheidole teneriffana

Head with median occipital area smooth; postpetiole about three times as wide as

long .

Legs and antennae clothed with erect pubescence; head sculpture strong

Pheidole sculpturata

Appendage pubescence subdecumbent; head sculpture weak Pheidole katonae

HW

more than 2.0; sides of head striate

to

occiput; first gaster tergite partially or

totally striate Pheidole rugaticeps

HW 1.6 or less; occipital lobes without striae; first gaster tergite smooth .

Postpetiole slightly longer than broad about 0.2 times HW; funiculus segment 2

scarcely longer than wide Pheidole jordanica

Postpetiole about as wide as long,

0.23

times HW; funiculus segment 2 slightly

longer than wide Pheidole sinaitica

Pheidole jordanica 5aulcy, 1874

Pheidole

jordanica Saulcy, 1874. - Bull. Soc. Hist. nat. Moselle 13: 17.

Measurements: 510.675;

HW/PPWO.227.

This is a fairly

common

species in the Middle East

and

occurs also in north-eastern Africa.

Pheidole katonae Forel, 1907; n. stat.

Pheidole sculpturata katonae Fore , 1907. - Ann. hist.-nat. Mus. natn. Hung.

5:

21.

Pheidole sculpturata. - Collingwood 1985; Fauna of Saudi Arabia 7: 255, pro parte [misidentification].

323

5

6

8

Mat e r ia I: Saudi Arabia: Ij Ij> Fayfa, 27.III.1983, CA. Collingwood (recorded

as

P

sculpturata .

- Oman: Ij Ij> Tanuf,

I1.XI.1977, R P Whitcombe; Ij

Ij

from: Thumrait, 20.I.1984; Samhan, 25.IY.1984; Jabal Akhdar, 13.X.1984; Dibab, IX.1985;

Ras

Madrakah, 1.x.1986; all M.D. Gallagher.

Measurements: 510.5;

HW/PPWO.313.

The head shape

of

the large workers

is

similar to that

of P sculpturata

but the reduced head

sculpture and less abundant oblique appendage pubescence justify specific distinction.

Pheidole megacephala

(Fabricius, 1793)

Formica megacephala Fabricius, 1793. - Ent. Syst.

2:

361.

Pheidole

megacephala - Roger 1863;

Verz

Formicid.: 30.

Mat e ria I: Saudi Arabia: Ij Ij from: Bani Rizam, 9.IX.1987; Harithi, 19' X.1987; all

W

Biittiker. - Kuwait: Ij Ij>

Sulabiyah, 16.II.1988, W Biitt iker. - Oman:

Ij Ij

from: Wadi Halet, 25.IX.1984; Jabal Samhan, 20.1X.1984; all

M.D.

Gallagher. -

Yemen:

Ij Ij> Qa a Boun, 18.X.1991, M. Knapp;

dd

Ij Ij from: AI-Mahwit, 21.IX.1991; Sanaa, VIII.1991;

Wadi Hami, 17.VIII.1991; Hammam Ali, 6.VIIL1991;

all A

van Harten; Ij Ij> Materlik Laboratory, Y.1986, H. Wranik.

Measurements: 510.47; HW/PPW 0.34.

This is a

common

tramp species. Its origin is not known.

Pheidole rugaticeps Emery, 1877

Pheidole rugaticeps Emery, 1877. - Ann. Mus.

civ

Stor. nat. Genova 9: 375.

Material : Oman:

Ij Ij

from: Am Umran, 15.1X.1982; Dharbat Falls, 13.1I.1984; Bani Habil,

22.x.1984;

all

M.D.

Gallagher; Ij

Ij

from: Sudha, 15.x.1984; Atsah, 2l.IX.1984; all J. Darlington. - Yemen:

Ij

Ij> AI-Mahwit, 7.111.1993,

CA.

Collingwood.


26/87

324

CA. COLLINGWOOD

D. AGOST1

Measurements: SI 0.543;

HW/PPWO.274.

EMERY

(1881) described a variety, P rugaticeps var. arabs with smoother head sculpture from

Yemen. All the examples from Yemen have somewhat

smoother

head sculpture than

named

examples in

NHMB

from north-eastern Africa

but

there is no other difference between the two

forms.

Pheidole sculpturata Mayr, 1866

Pheidole

sculpturata Mayr, 1866. - Verh. zool.-bot.

Ges.

Wien 16: 897.

Material :

Oman:

99

Wahiba, 19.I1I.1985,

M.D.

Gallagher. - Yemen: 99 from: Taiz, 26.x.1991; Wadi Surdud,

18.x1I.1991; all

A.

van Harten; 1 9 Khazain Yadak, 1X.1979, B. Lanza; 99 from: Mafhaq, 9.III.1993; Taiz - AI- Turbah,

14.III.1993; all CA. Collingwood.

Measuremen ts: SI 0.407; HW/PPW 0.335.

These have the large workers more heavily sculptured than those recorded from Saudi Arabia

(COLLINGWOOD

1985). In addition the small workers are also larger

and

have conspicuous erect

pubescence

on

the antennae

and

legs.

The

Saudi Arabian examples are

now

referred to

P katonae

above.

Pheidole sinaitica Mayr, 1862

Pheidole sinaitica Mayr, 1862. - Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien 12: 745.

Material:

Saudi Arabia:

99

from: Turabah, 26.1X.1980; Rahifa, 7.IX.1984; Harithi,

17.x.1984;

Wadi Dhyan,

8.III.1986; all W Biittiker. - Oman:

99

Jabal Samhan, 1.IX.1989, M.D. Gallagher.

Measurements: SI 0.616; HW/PPWO.233.

Pheidole teneriffana Forel, 1893

Pheidole

teneri fona Forel, 1893. - Ann. Soc. ent. Be g. 37: 465.

Mat

e

ria

I:

Yemen:

'f 'f, AI-Kowd, 11.1993,

A.

van Harten.

Winged

queens

of

this widely distributed species were taken at light.

Pheidole sp.

Mat

e

ria

I: Yemen: 1 9 Wadi Wazanan, 14.III.1993,

CA.

Collingwood.

A single small worker was taken among leaf litter. It is totally black except for the funiculus

which

is

pale brown.

The

meso notal outline

is

interrupted by a dorsal prominence. The head

and

alitrunk have strongly punctulate sculpture over the whole dorsum including the nodes. The gaster

is smooth and shining. The funiculus segments 2, 3 and 4 are quadrate. Long hairs are scattered

over the head, body and appendages. The strong sculpture

and

dark body colour are unlike those

of

any other Arabian species collected so far.

Genus

Melissotarsus

Emery, 1877

Melissotarsus emeryi Forel, 1907

Melissotarsus emeryi Fore , 1907. - Revue Em. 26: 133.

Mater ia l : Yemen:

99 Madinat

al-Shariq in Wadi Rima, 12.I11.1992,

A.

van Harten; 99 from: Taiz- Mafhaq,

15.II.1993; Bilad Bani, 23.I1I.1993; all CA. Collingwood.

This

species was

found

in several low-lying branches ofTamarisk and other trees at Bilad Bani.

The ants form tunnels immediately

under

the bark and

do not

appear

on

the surface.


27/87

1

2

3

4

5


Genus eptothorax Mayr, 1855

Key t species

Pronotum dentate

or

angled anterolaterally in dorsal view .

Pronotum smoothly rounded anterolaterally in dorsal view .

Pronotum

strongly dentate; propodeal spines long, robust and down-curved; head

and alitrunk

dorsum

strongly striate

to

sulcate eptothorax humerosus

Pronotum mildly dentate; propodeal spines short and blunt; body

sculpture

not

strongly developed .

Petiole

dorsum

flattened, body hairs short, clavate;

antennal

clubs

dark

eptothorax angulatus

Petiole dorsum sharply pointed; body hairs bluntly pointed; colour including ap

pendages uniformly brown eptothorax saudiae n. sp.

Head

and

gaster darker than ali

trunk;

body sculpture strong;

antennal

scapes short,

S 83-94; propodeal spines acute .

Unicolorous brown,

body

sculpture

smooth; antennal

scapes long,

S

100; propodeal

spines broadly dentate eptothorax sp.

A

Petiole in profile a

blunt

triangle eptothorax sp.

B

Petiole in profile low

with

a long anterior peduncle eptothorax sp. C


Mayr,

1862


Mayr, 1862. - Verh. zool.-bot. Ges. Wien 12: 739.

325

2

3

5

Material:

Saudi Arabia:

99,

Wadi Hunayn, 18.IV1979, Exp. N. Hedjaz

W

Bilttiker). -

Yemen: 99,

Wadi Bani,

23.III.1993,

CA.

Collingwood.

This

fairly common species has not yet been recorded from Oman. The species was

found

in

Yemen in partially rotten branches.

eptothorax humerosus Emery,

1846

eptothorax humerosus

Emery, 1846. - Boll. Soc. em. Ital. 28: 62.

Ma te rial: Yemen:

1

9,

Zingibar, 24.III.1993,

CA.

Collingwood.

This

species was

named on

one specimen from

an

unknown locality in East Africa. There are

thus only two examples of this unique, strongly sculptured, dentate species known so far. The

Yemen specimen was taken

wandering

over

the

ground under shrubs but

no other

example was

found.

eptothorax saudiae n. sp. (Fig. 9)

Ho

1 typ e: 9, Saudi Arabia, AI-Muraywah, 28°46 N 45°00 E, 28.x.1985, W Bilttiker.

Measurements ofholotype:

TL 2.8; HL 0.81; HW 0.60; SL 0.62;

EL

0.17; spine 0.14.

Des c r ip t ion: Head subrectangular with rounded occipital corners but straight occipital

margin and only very slight curvature of the sides in dorsal view. The pronotum

is

slightly angled

at each corner. The alitrunk has no mesopropodeal furrow

and

general dorsal outline

is

rather flat

with

the propodeum gently curving to its basal face;

the propodeal

spines are short, blunt and

semi-erect. The petiole

is

thick but raised dorsally

to

a sharply pointed triangle. The whole

dorsum

including the gaster has scattered strong hairs which are thick but

bluntly

pointed rather than

clavate. The head

dorsum and

clypeus are strongly striate. The

promesonotum is

longitudinally

striate, the striae merging

into

the strongly

punctate

propodeum. The petiole is brilliant without


28/87

326

CA. COLLINGWOOD

D. AGOSTI

sculpture and the postpetiole

and

gaster

dorsum

are

both shining but

with weak superficial

sculpture. The body colour is uniformly brown with

much

paler antennae

and

legs.

A Hi n t i e s: This species resembles

L grisoni

Forel 1916 in colour and size corresponding

with the general body shape of the widely distributed

L angulatus but

has the following distinctive

differences: The body hairs are longer

and

more pointed the petiole is sharply angled dorsally

as

in

L

denticulatus

Mayr 1901

and

the combination

of

colour shape

and

sculpture does

not

fit any

of

these three species.

Leptothorax

sp. A

Mat

e

ria

I : Oman: 1

9

Jiddat

al

Harasis 16.XII.1984 M.D. Gallagher.

Mea sur e

men

t s: TL 3.4;

HL

0.73; HW 0.58; 5L 0.58;

51

100; spine 0.20.

The pronotal outline

is

rounded.

The

mesopropodeal furrow

is

distinct and breaks the alitrunk

outline. The petiole profile is a blunt triangle with the anterior face mildly concave

and

the dorsal

face slightly convex. There are thick blunt hairs over the whole dorsum.

The

body colour

is

dark

reddish brown

and

the hairless legs

and

antennae are yellowish.

The

head and ali

trunk

are smooth

without

distinct sculpture except at the sides.

This

species resembles

L cenatus

Bolton 1982

but

has a more angled petiole

and

the body sculpture is more diffuse.

Leptothorax

sp. B

Mat

e

ria

I: Saudi Arabia: 1

9

Hofuf 20.Y.1978 W Bilttiker.

Measurements: TL 3.0; HL 0.77; HWO.62; 5L 0.52; EL 0.17; spine 0.14.

This species

is

similar to the above but has a shorter antennal scape sharper propodeal spines

and stronger body sculpture.

The

body colour

is

dull yellowish with darker head and gaster.

Leptothorax

sp. C

Mat

e ria I: Saudi Arabia: 1 9 Wadi Durmah

8.xn.1975

W Bilttiker.

Measuremen ts:

TL

3.6; HL 0.89;

HW

0.72; 5L 0.68; EL 0.17; spine 0.19.

This has similar colour to the above but has closer punctulate sculpture on the head alitrunk

and nodes.

The

petiole

is

lower with a long anterior peduncle and the postpetiole

is

also low.

The

spines are relatively long and acute.

1

2

3

4

Genus

ardiocondyla

Emery 1869

Key t species

Propodeal spines very

short and

blunt

.

Propodeal spines distinct and acute .

Petiole as broad or broader than long; unicolorous blackish brown

ardiocondyla shuckardi

Petiole longer than broad; alitrunk paler than gaster

ardiocondyla nud

Petiole in profile with a flattened dorsum ardiocondyla emeryi

Petiole in profile with a rounded dorsum .

Mesonotum descending abruptly to the mesopropodeal groove; gaster darker than

pale head and alitrunk; petiole slightly broader than long

ardiocondyla wroughtonii

2

3

4


29/87

5

FAUNA

OF

SAUDI ARABIA

15, 1996

Mesonotum curving evenly

to

the mesopropodeal groove; gaster unicolorous with

head and ali trunk; petiole longer than wide

in

dorsal view .

Postpetiole nearly twice

as

wide as petiole; colour evenly

dark

brown

Cardiocondyla gallagheri

n. sp.

Postpetiole narrow, scarcely wider than long and clearly less than twice as wide as

petiole; colour

of

body, legs

and

antennae

evenly pale yellowish

brown

Cardiocondyla

yemeni n. sp.

Cardiocondyla emeryi

Fore

formicidae (insecta: hymenoptera) of saudi arabia (part 2)

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